The De Anza College women’s soccer team, headed by coaches Cheryl Owiesny and Andrew Ransome, played 17 games this fall with six wins, 10 losses, and two ties.
The team started the season with a loss of 6-1 against Ventura College and ended with a loss of 8-1 against Evergreen Valley College.
 But the women on the team, along with Ransome, felt positive about the season and are looking forward to next season.
“Our second half play, the girls really stepped it up,” said Ransome. “Unfortunately, there were a lot of times when our backs were against the wall, but in the second half of the games, we definitely came out with a lot of fire and just the willingness to play for the full 90 minutes.”
During the second half of the season, the team pulled in a couple of wins.  The team won a match against Hartnell College on Sept. 28 by a score of 2-1.  In a match against West Hills College in Lemoore, the Dons pulled ahead 3-0, and continued to win in a match against Cañada College on Oct. 16 with a score of 8-0, the peak of the season.
“We had a number of players who had some good performances,” said mid-fielder Cat Comesana. “I think Sam Beall, who played center back for us, was probably the most consistent player, and Cat Comesana, who is very tough in mid-field, also stood out this year.
“It was always a struggle against our top rival teams, which are Foothill, Evergreen, and West Valley, but those [the matches] were also the good moments because the team for next year now know what to work on,” said mid-fielder Cat Comesana.  
Center back Sam Beall’s  personal best was when the team played Cañada College.
“We lost 1-0, but we still fought the whole time,” she said. “They were really dirty players, but we didn’t stoop down to their level. We came out.”
Teamwork is key in women’s soccer.  “Probably the most memorable were the friendships that I made and all the players that I got close to,” said Beall.
 Even with losses, the Dons were able to highlight what was working well, and what needed improvement.
“Even though we didn’t do so well against them, those games brought us closer together, and it kind of highlights as an individual what we needed to work on and also what we were good at doing,” said Comesana.  “A personal best game for me was Evergreen because I was able to really be challenged physically and mentally to help my teammates out.”
Ransome also has goals for the team next season. “I think just consistency [is what we should work on] more than anything else, making sure we match out the first half of  play with how well we play in the second half,” Ransome said.
“And a little more soccer knowledge for the girls, and I think with the group coming back, you know, we’ve got some work to do, but they’re more than capable of adjusting.”
“Between now and when we try out in August, fitness is very important.  Being sure that they [prospective players] come into the season fit.  Making sure they come out, get familiar with the coaches, get familiar with the types of things that we’re looking for, and get familiar with the returning players,” said Ransome. “That really would be the key.”